Prayer

When we come to ask mercy and blessing from God we should have a spirit of love
and forgiveness in our own hearts. How can we pray, “Forgive us our debts, as we
forgive our debtors,” and yet indulge an unforgiving spirit? Matthew 6:12. If we
expect our own prayers to be heard we must forgive others in the same manner and to
the same extent as we hope to be forgiven.
Perseverance in prayer has been made a condition of receiving. We must pray
always if we would grow in faith and experience. We are to be “instant in prayer,”
to “continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” Romans 12:12;
Colossians 4:2. Peter exhorts believers to be “sober, and watch unto prayer.” 1 Peter
4:7. Paul directs, “In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let
your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6. “But ye, beloved,” says
Jude, “praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God.” Jude 20,
21.—(Steps to Christ, 95-97.)
If we render to Him only a partial, halfhearted obedience, His promises will not
be fulfilled to us.—(The Ministry of Healing, 227.)
We must live our prayers if they are to be answered.—We are to pray and
watch unto prayer, that there may be no inconsistency in our lives. We must not fail
to show others that we understand that watching unto prayer means living our prayers
before God, that He may answer them.—(Selected Messages 1:116, 117.)
Prayer is of no avail if the life does not match the prayer.—“If ye abide in me,
and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
When you pray, present this promise. It is our privilege to come to Him with holy
boldness. As in sincerity we ask Him to let His light shine upon us, He will hear and
answer us. But we must live in harmony with our prayers. They are of no avail if we
walk contrary to them. I have seen a father who, after reading a portion of scripture
and offering prayer, would often, almost as soon as he had risen from his knees, begin
to scold his children. How could God answer the
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